A leading figure in the Australian #MeToo movement, the founder of a blockchain energy trading start-up and an expert in artificial intelligence and customer experience were among the women who were recognised in Sydney last night as part of this year’s The Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence awards, presented by Qantas.

At a gala dinner at Sydney’s Town Hall, 11 women received awards for their achievements across 10 categories, such as young leaders, board and management, public policy and diversity and inclusion. Megan Davis, UNSW Pro-Vice Chancellor, indigenous, was announced the overall winner. Naba Alfayadh won the young leader category.

The awards are in their sixth year and were this year expanded to include an Alumni Projects program, an initiative designed to galvanise the 600 award-winning influencers, who have been recognised over the years in the 100 Women of Influence awards.

So far, there are two projects in train – the Catch-Up project is a pilot program aimed at securing futures for vulnerable older women, and Women for Election Australia works with school-age girls to encourage and inspire them to think of politics as a career.

Innovation: Dr Jemma Green

Young leader: Naba Alfayadh

Board and Management: Jingmin Qian

Social Enterprise and Not For Profit: Tanya Jackson-Vaughan and Tracey Spicer